CB: The “institution” is all they have. If they admit that the institution has errors they are left with nothing.
The sacramental system they've created coupled with elevating of their priesthood above the members has imposed a powerful psychological conditioning that makes it hard for members to leave. It's rather sad that among those that do leave a very high % just turn their back on God, instead of finding a more Bible centered church.
Another thing to take away from the RCC taking these baby steps towards accepting muslims as brothers (without conversion) is how easy it is for a centralized authority structure to be corrupted. I'm sure it's part of the reason Christian churches in the Apostolic Era and the immediate generations following were decentralized and congregational in structure. There are a lot of serious minded RC's who are very upset with what's going on, but in the end the vast majority of them will fall in line.
I guess in a way they are brain washed into believing the Pope and others in authority can do no wrong. No man/woman is perfect and that includes the Pope/Mary. When I see/hear something that seems wrong, I just go to the Bible.